Vinnie Johnson vs. Chris Paul Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Chris Paul and Vinnie Johnson, from their rookie seasons to their last year played, in chronological order with awards, stats, championships and playoff performance of their teams every year.

Player comparisons:
Career comparison / Season by season

Who had the better rookie season? Who had best stats in their 10th season? Who won a championship first? These questions and many others, are answered here.

Vinnie Johnson played 13 years in the NBA, 6 less than Chris Paul, who played 19. Vinnie Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Chris Paul had his rookie season in 2005-06. With that starting point, here you can take a look at each of their seasons side by side and compare how their careers evolved in achivements, awards and championships won, the stats they recorded both in the Regular Season and the Playoffs and how their teams performed in the postseason.

Their Careers

Player
Total Seasons Playoffs Played NBA Years
Vinnie Johnson 13 10 1979-80 to 1991-92
Chris Paul 19 15 2005-06 to 2023-24

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19

Rookie Season

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season 1979-802005-06
Team Seattle SupersonicsNew Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
Honors & Awards -Achievement Rookie of the Year
-Achievement All-Rookie First Team
Playoffs Supersonics Lost West Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 38 8.6 3.2 0.5 0.9 1.4 1.4 0.5 0.1 1.1 1.1 1.2 3.0 .391 0.0 0.0 .000 0.8 1.0 .795
Chris Paul 78 36.0 16.1 0.8 4.3 5.1 7.8 2.2 0.1 2.3 2.8 5.2 12.1 .430 0.6 2.3 .282 5.1 6.0 .847
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 5 2.4 0.4 0.0 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.6 .333 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -
Chris Paul ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season 1980-812006-07
Team Seattle SupersonicsNew Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 81 28.5 13.0 2.4 2.1 4.5 4.2 1.0 0.2 2.7 2.4 5.2 9.7 .534 0.0 0.1 .200 2.6 3.3 .793
Chris Paul 64 36.8 17.3 0.8 3.5 4.4 8.9 1.8 0.0 2.5 2.4 6.0 13.6 .437 0.8 2.2 .350 4.6 5.6 .818
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season 1981-822007-08
Team Seattle Supersonics, Detroit PistonsNew Orleans Hornets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayHornets Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 74 17.5 7.4 1.1 1.0 2.1 2.3 0.8 0.3 1.3 1.4 2.9 6.0 .489 0.0 0.2 .250 1.4 1.9 .754
Chris Paul 80 37.6 21.1 0.8 3.2 4.0 11.6 2.7 0.1 2.5 2.3 7.9 16.1 .488 1.2 3.1 .369 4.2 4.9 .851
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 12 40.5 24.1 1.3 3.6 4.9 11.3 2.3 0.2 1.8 3.6 9.3 18.4 .502 0.4 1.8 .238 5.2 6.6 .785

Season 4

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season 1982-832008-09
Team Detroit PistonsNew Orleans Hornets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayHornets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 82 30.6 15.8 2.0 2.3 4.3 3.7 1.1 0.6 1.9 3.2 6.3 12.4 .513 0.1 0.5 .275 3.0 3.8 .778
Chris Paul 78 38.5 22.8 0.9 4.7 5.5 11.0 2.8 0.1 3.0 2.7 8.1 16.1 .503 0.8 2.3 .364 5.8 6.7 .868
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 5 40.2 16.6 0.8 3.6 4.4 10.4 1.6 0.0 4.8 1.6 6.0 14.6 .411 1.0 3.2 .313 3.6 4.2 .857

Season 5

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season 1983-842009-10
Team Detroit PistonsNew Orleans Hornets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 82 23.3 13.0 1.6 1.3 2.9 3.3 0.5 0.2 1.6 2.4 5.2 11.0 .473 0.0 0.2 .211 2.5 3.4 .753
Chris Paul 45 38.0 18.7 0.4 3.8 4.2 10.7 2.1 0.2 2.5 2.6 7.0 14.2 .493 1.2 2.8 .409 3.6 4.2 .847
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 5 26.4 10.2 1.0 1.8 2.8 2.4 0.2 0.2 0.8 1.8 3.4 9.2 .370 0.0 0.2 .000 3.4 3.8 .895
Chris Paul ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season 1984-852010-11
Team Detroit PistonsNew Orleans Hornets
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf SemisHornets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 82 25.5 12.8 1.6 1.4 3.1 4.0 0.9 0.2 1.6 2.5 5.2 11.5 .454 0.1 0.3 .185 2.3 3.0 .769
Chris Paul 80 36.0 15.9 0.5 3.6 4.1 9.8 2.4 0.1 2.2 2.5 5.4 11.6 .463 0.9 2.3 .388 4.2 4.8 .878
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 9 26.1 14.2 1.7 1.3 3.0 3.2 0.7 0.1 1.7 2.7 5.9 11.4 .515 0.0 0.3 .000 2.4 3.1 .786
Chris Paul 6 41.7 22.0 0.5 6.2 6.7 11.5 1.8 0.0 3.7 1.8 7.0 12.8 .545 1.5 3.2 .474 6.5 8.2 .796

Season 7

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season 1985-862011-12
Team Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf 1st RdClippers Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 79 25.0 13.9 1.5 1.4 2.9 3.4 1.0 0.3 1.1 2.3 5.9 12.6 .467 0.0 0.2 .154 2.1 2.7 .771
Chris Paul 60 36.4 19.8 0.7 2.9 3.6 9.1 2.5 0.1 2.1 2.3 7.1 14.8 .478 1.3 3.6 .371 4.3 5.0 .861
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 4 21.3 12.8 2.0 2.3 4.3 2.8 0.8 0.0 1.3 2.3 5.5 12.3 .449 0.0 0.3 .000 1.8 3.3 .538
Chris Paul 11 38.5 17.6 0.5 4.5 5.1 7.9 2.7 0.1 3.9 2.7 6.4 14.9 .427 1.2 3.5 .333 3.7 4.3 .872

Season 8

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season 1986-872012-13
Team Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game NVP
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf FinalsClippers Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 78 27.8 15.7 1.6 1.7 3.3 3.8 1.2 0.2 1.7 2.0 6.8 14.8 .462 0.1 0.2 .286 2.0 2.6 .786
Chris Paul 70 33.4 16.9 0.8 3.0 3.7 9.7 2.4 0.1 2.3 2.0 5.9 12.2 .481 1.1 3.3 .328 4.1 4.6 .885
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 15 25.9 14.7 1.3 1.6 2.9 4.1 0.6 0.3 1.5 2.2 6.3 13.8 .459 0.0 0.1 .000 2.1 2.4 .861
Chris Paul 6 37.3 22.8 0.5 3.5 4.0 6.3 1.8 0.0 1.5 2.8 8.2 15.3 .533 1.0 3.2 .316 5.5 6.2 .892

Season 9

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season 1987-882013-14
Team Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Pistons Lost NBA FinalsClippers Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 82 23.6 12.2 1.1 1.7 2.8 3.3 0.7 0.2 1.9 2.0 5.2 11.7 .443 0.1 0.3 .208 1.8 2.6 .677
Chris Paul 62 35.0 19.1 0.6 3.7 4.3 10.7 2.5 0.1 2.3 2.5 6.5 14.0 .467 1.3 3.4 .368 4.8 5.6 .855
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 23 20.7 10.3 1.5 1.7 3.3 1.9 0.7 0.2 0.9 2.1 4.4 10.4 .423 0.0 0.3 .143 1.4 2.2 .660
Chris Paul 13 36.3 19.8 0.9 3.3 4.2 10.3 2.8 0.0 3.0 3.8 7.1 15.2 .467 2.5 5.4 .457 3.2 4.1 .774

Season 10

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season 1988-892014-15
Team Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionClippers Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 82 25.3 13.8 1.3 1.8 3.1 3.0 0.9 0.2 1.3 1.9 5.6 12.1 .464 0.2 0.5 .295 2.4 3.2 .734
Chris Paul 82 34.8 19.1 0.6 4.0 4.6 10.2 1.9 0.2 2.3 2.5 6.9 14.3 .485 1.7 4.3 .398 3.5 3.9 .900
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 17 21.9 14.1 0.9 1.7 2.6 2.5 0.2 0.2 1.2 1.9 5.4 11.8 .455 0.6 1.4 .417 2.8 3.6 .758
Chris Paul 12 37.1 22.1 0.6 3.8 4.4 8.8 1.8 0.3 2.2 3.1 7.9 15.8 .503 2.3 5.4 .415 4.0 4.3 .941

Season 11

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season 1989-902015-16
Team Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Defensive First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionClippers Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 82 24.0 9.8 1.3 1.8 3.1 3.1 0.9 0.2 1.5 1.7 4.1 9.5 .431 0.1 0.4 .147 1.6 2.4 .668
Chris Paul 74 32.7 19.5 0.5 3.7 4.2 10.0 2.1 0.2 2.6 2.5 7.0 15.1 .462 1.6 4.4 .371 4.0 4.4 .896
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 20 23.2 10.3 1.4 1.4 2.8 2.7 0.4 0.2 1.6 1.9 4.3 9.2 .462 0.1 0.4 .286 1.7 2.2 .791
Chris Paul 4 31.3 23.8 1.0 3.0 4.0 7.3 2.3 0.0 1.0 3.0 9.3 19.0 .487 1.5 5.0 .300 3.8 3.8 1.000

Season 12

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season 1990-912016-17
Team Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Clippers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf FinalsClippers Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 82 29.1 11.7 1.3 2.1 3.4 3.3 0.9 0.2 1.4 2.0 5.0 11.4 .434 0.1 0.4 .324 1.6 2.5 .646
Chris Paul 61 31.5 18.1 0.7 4.3 5.0 9.2 2.0 0.1 2.4 2.4 6.1 12.9 .476 2.0 5.0 .411 3.8 4.3 .892
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 15 29.2 15.2 2.5 2.6 5.1 2.9 0.7 0.3 1.1 2.2 6.8 14.7 .464 0.1 0.9 .154 1.5 2.1 .710
Chris Paul 7 37.1 25.3 0.6 4.4 5.0 9.9 1.7 0.1 2.7 3.4 9.6 19.3 .496 2.0 5.4 .368 4.1 4.7 .879

Season 13

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season 1991-922017-18
Team San Antonio SpursHouston Rockets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf 1st RdRockets Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 60 22.5 8.0 1.1 1.9 3.0 2.4 0.7 0.2 1.2 1.6 3.4 8.3 .405 0.3 1.0 .317 0.9 1.4 .647
Chris Paul 58 31.8 18.6 0.6 4.8 5.4 7.9 1.7 0.2 2.2 2.4 6.3 13.8 .460 2.5 6.5 .380 3.5 3.8 .919
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson 3 23.0 8.3 1.0 1.7 2.7 2.3 1.7 0.3 1.7 2.3 3.7 8.0 .458 0.7 1.3 .500 0.3 0.7 .500
Chris Paul 15 34.5 21.1 0.6 5.3 5.9 5.8 2.0 0.3 1.9 3.1 7.9 17.1 .459 2.5 6.6 .374 2.9 3.5 .830

Season 14

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season -2018-19
Team -Houston Rockets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Rockets Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 58 32.0 15.6 0.6 3.9 4.6 8.2 2.0 0.3 2.6 2.5 5.2 12.4 .419 2.2 6.1 .358 3.0 3.5 .862
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 11 36.1 17.0 1.3 5.1 6.4 5.5 2.2 0.6 3.4 3.3 6.0 13.5 .446 1.5 5.7 .270 3.5 4.1 .844

Season 15

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season -2019-20
Team -Oklahoma City Thunder
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Thunder Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 70 31.5 17.6 0.4 4.6 5.0 6.7 1.6 0.2 2.3 2.3 6.2 12.7 .489 1.6 4.3 .365 3.6 4.0 .907
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 7 37.3 21.3 0.4 7.0 7.4 5.3 1.6 0.4 3.3 2.6 7.9 16.0 .491 2.3 6.1 .372 3.3 3.7 .885

Season 16

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season -2020-21
Team -Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Suns Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 70 31.4 16.4 0.4 4.1 4.5 8.9 1.4 0.3 2.2 2.4 6.3 12.6 .499 1.5 3.7 .395 2.4 2.6 .934
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 20 34.2 19.2 0.5 3.1 3.5 8.6 1.2 0.2 2.2 2.4 7.5 15.0 .497 1.5 3.3 .446 2.9 3.3 .877

Season 17

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season -2021-22
Team -Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Third Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs -Suns Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 65 32.9 14.7 0.3 4.0 4.4 10.8 1.9 0.3 2.4 2.1 5.6 11.3 .493 1.0 3.1 .317 2.6 3.1 .837
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 13 34.5 17.5 0.5 3.6 4.2 8.3 1.5 0.2 2.4 3.1 6.7 11.9 .561 1.5 3.8 .388 2.7 2.8 .946

Season 18

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season -2022-23
Team -Phoenix Suns
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Suns Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 59 32.0 13.9 0.5 3.8 4.3 8.9 1.5 0.4 1.9 2.1 5.0 11.3 .440 1.7 4.4 .375 2.3 2.7 .831
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 7 35.7 12.4 0.7 4.3 5.0 7.4 1.7 0.7 1.0 2.3 5.4 13.0 .418 1.3 4.0 .321 0.3 0.6 .500

Season 19

Vinnie Johnson Chris Paul
Season -2023-24
Team -Golden State Warriors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Did Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul 58 26.4 9.2 0.3 3.6 3.9 6.8 1.2 0.1 1.3 1.9 3.6 8.1 .441 1.3 3.6 .371 0.7 0.9 .827
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Vinnie Johnson ------- --- ----------
Chris Paul ------- --- ----------